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JWOC 2007

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Created: Thursday, 06 September 2007 18:40

Written by John Rocke & Doug Tullie

JWOC 2007  Dubbo, Australia by John Rocke and Doug Tullie

Ever since the venue for JWOC 2007 was announced as being in Australia it became the main goal for both of us. We both trained hard throughout the year in preparation for all disciplines, including the banquetJ, and the effort paid off as we were both selected for the 10 person squad.

We woke in Sydney after a long flight for most of the team (apart from Duncan and Doug who were already out in Australia) and the morning jog overlooking Sydney harbour felt like a marathon. After the jog, since it was a nice day, we got our aviators out and wandered through Sydney taking in the opera house and bridge. That afternoon we travelled through the Blue Mountains to our training camp in Orange. There the team got its first experience of Granite terrain and the Aussie winter!

The 7th of July crept up on us in no time and we were soon at the Western Plains Zoo and flying past Kangaroos, Koalas and Camels in the Sprint race. The atmosphere was great around the event arena with plenty of spectator controls which added extra challenge to the very simple navigation. It was a great start to the week with a top performance from Duncan, proving that he was on top form.

The next day was a different challenge altogether as we moved into the complex granite terrain of the surroundingbush. The classic race was a technical and physical challenge through extremely rough terrain, as expected it was Olav Lundanes who triumphed in the mens race. A fellow Norwegian Siri Ulvestad took Gold in the womens race sparking the Norwegian dominance in Australia. Tessa ran well to secure top British performance with a 26th position. After six out of ten qualified for the Middle A final the team was looking forward to another technical challenge. It was but also very fast which meant you had to really be on top of your orienteering to avoid mistakes. Douglas was the Brit who managed this best.

JohnSo Douglas how did the middle final go for you

DougMy plan for the race was to start steady making sure I spiked the first few controls and then to increase my pace after my confidence grew and I got into the race more. I felt quite calm at the start and I ran well taking the fastest split on the long leg. The reaction through the spectator was verging on wild even though I had lost time on the first part of the course. At the finish I was in 3rd position. After the last runner had finished I was in 16th, which has inspired me to improve next year in Sweden. It should also prove to others that they can do it too!

The final race was the Relay, the guys were disappointed with the overall result and have targeted this as an area to improve on next year.

The Banquet was held in the Civic Center in Dubbo, unfortunately our official reporter Duncan Coombs was unable to comment!J

The results and also team spirit from this year are a real driving force for us all to improve and try and bring back some long overdue medals from JWOC 2008 in Gothenburg, Sweden.

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Photo: John Rocke finishing at this years 5-dagars O-Ringen, Mjolby, Sweden by Nick Barrable